Melanoma Update

I had my post-surgical follow-up appointment with the plastic surgeon, Dr. Robert Anderson, this morning. I am grateful I can say that I am cancer-free! My pathology report shows no residual! Praise the Lord!

Here are a few things I want to remember:

Back in late April '09, I was a part of a Relay for Life team, which raises money for cancer research. The challenge was to relay walk for 12 hours straight. Initially, Craig was going to be a part of it with me early on in the evening and then take the kids to my parents' house for the night and pick me up in the morning. It ended up that my parents took our kids home with them, and Craig stayed the night to relay with us.

Our team fizzled out, but I was determined to fulfill my commitments. I was encouraged to just throw in the towel and be done for the night. I couldn't do it. I was committed to walking for the people who had donated to me. I was honored to walk in memory of those who have/are fighting a battle with cancer.

Craig and I finished the relay, and I was so grateful to have him by my side. (Side note, Craig says flip-flops are not the best shoes to be wearing for a 12-hour relay. What a trooper! Remember, though, the initial plan wasn't that he was planning to stay and walk with me.) I'm grateful Craig was there walking along with me through the night. Looking back, it was yet another foreshadow to me. I have married my best friend and soul mate, and he'll always be by my side, no matter what we face together.

Little did I know.

Little did I know that I very possibly had melanoma at that point since my PCP had mentioned that I "should probably get that looked at before I got pregnant" in mid-March. I didn't know that I was already pregnant with the child who'd be instrumental in my discovering that I, too, will call myself a cancer survivor.

As I walked and prayed that night, I felt a conviction. I was convicted to persevere. I was convicted to be a part of this 12-hour relay in years to come.

Now I know why.

The word or theme, if you will, of the relay was HOPE. That word resonates with me. I don't know if Hope will be a part of this baby's name if we're having a girl, but I know that this baby has given me new hope.

As a 30-year-old mother and wife, I never thought I'd have to announce that I'm cancer-free, but I'm so grateful that I can. I have hope for a long life because I know God's not done with me yet. I have a husband to stand by, love, and respect, and I have three young children to raise in His image.

God was never surprised by my diagnosis. I am amazed at His timing and ever-grateful for this precious blessing that I believe one of his/her purposes in life has already been fulfilled, to help save his/her mommy's life and discover the melanoma before it was too late.

Thank you for praying with us and being part of this journey with us.

Praising God for His healing and timing of our third child!

Summertime Lull

"Lull" might be the wrong word to use in this context because our summer has not consisted of much sleep, rest, or relaxation. It seems my blog hasn't been on my top list of priorities this summer.

I have so much to document, including our annual family vacation to Lake Whitney, some firsts for our kids, pregnancy progression, everyday activities, visitors, our wedding anniversary, and so much more. It seems I fall into this blogging slump every summer because it seems we're always on the go. I remember there being a list of things I wanted to blog about that I resolved to "get to later" but never found the time to post about them as I had intended.

I will post about many of those earlier listed things. I just won't tonight.

My blog is primarily my documentation of our kids. Tonight, I'm blogging as an outlet for me.

This afternoon, I was informed that the mole I had removed yesterday is a melanoma. WHAT?? REALLY?? I never suspected this. In fact, had it not been for other reasons due to the pregnancy, I can almost guarantee that I wouldn't have seen a dermatologist anytime soon. Now, that's scary!

Here are the facts as I know them now:
*The melanoma I have is called a superficial spreading melanoma.
*It's relatively thin. It measured .5mm, which anything less than 1mm is pretty local.
*I will see a plastic surgeon on August 18th for a consult regarding removing at least 1cm of tissue surrounding where the mole had been "residing."
*I will have that 1cm of tissue removed more than likely the end of August/beginning of September.
*It seems as though the melanoma was found and removed before it metastasized throughout my body.

I ask that you pray with our family. I will keep you updated as I know more.